Insulating side wall for tanks



O. A. MECHLIN INSULATING SIDE WALL FOR TANKS Filed March l2, 1946 l 3.1L 4V. l

Il J May 1, 1951 `l @il latentecl May 1, 195i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE INSULATIN G SIDE WALL FOR TANKS Oscar A. Mechlin, Portland, Oreg.

Application March 12, 1946, Serial No. 653,903

(Cl. 'l2- 14) 1 Claim. l

This invention pertains to an insulated tank adapted for use as a storage for liquids.

An object of the present invention is the provision in a storage tank of an improved insulating shell or coating.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a storage tank of an inner metallic shell having an outer casing formed by a monolithic structure with a compressible and expandable insulating material between the shell and casing.

A further object of the invention is the provision, in a storage tank, of a reinforced monolithic outer casing lined with extremely porous insulating material so that an inner metallic shell may expand and contract without subjecting the outer casing to abnormal stresses.

The above and numerous other objects will be apparent from the succeeding description considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a storage tank embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional View taken along the lines 2--2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional View taken along a plane similar to that indicated by the lines 3 3 of Fig. l only herein a modification of the invention is illustrated.

In storage tanks, particularly of the type employed to enclose or encase some products of petroleum, heating coils are provided in the storage tank so that when it is desired to draw the fluid from the tank, heat is applied thereto through the medium of the coils. in such instances an inner lining of the storage tank executes what might be termed a breathing action in that it expands from its normal condition and subsequently as the heat application is diminished or cut off entirely the inner lining contracts to its normal condition. Some storage tanks of the type under immediate consideration are completely or partially insulated against the rays of the sun and natural elements so that the contents of the tank may be maintained as closely as possible under a constant degree of temperature.

Referring now particularly to Figures l and 2 of the drawing, wherein like references indicate like parts, the numeral I is employed to designate in a somewhat general manner an insulated storage tank exemplary of the present invention. The storage tank may be set up on any suitable foundation 2 which may be of any design, construction, arrangement or material. The storage tank generally comprises an inner shell or housing 3 which may be of any approved or preferred design or construction so long as it forms an enclosing container in which a fluid may be stored. The exemplified form of inner shell of the specie under immediate consideration compirses a vertical wall il which may be made up of a series of connected metallic plates and their conformation may be such as to form a circular, elliptical, or a tank of any desired configuration. The upper extremity of the inner shell is provided with a securing member or connecting means herein illustrated as an L. or angle shaped or eave member 5 which preferably runs uninterrupted or continu ous about the shell. The angle shaped member or eave member desirably comprises a vertical leg t secured to the vertical wall by any approved method (none of which are shown) and a substantially horizontal leg 1 extending outwardly of the shell. Forming a roof to seal off the upper extremity of the inner shell is a plate or series of connected plates 8 which extends beyond the vertically extended plane of vertical wall 4 to bear upon the horizontal leg l of the eave member to be fastened or secured thereto by any desired means (none being shown). Spaced a predetermined distance above the foundation for purposes to be made hereinafter apparent are a series of horizontally disposed, intermittently spaced, supporting ledges or shelves 9 each of which by way of explanation or illustration may be of sections measuring say two feet in length and the series arranged on centers of three feet. This latter example shows how, incertain sized tanks, the shelves may be arranged about a tank and is by no means to be construed as a limitation of the invention. Each shelf is desirably formed by an angle-shaped clip because such a configuration lends itself to convenience and simplicity of design. Accordingly, each shelf comprises a lower leg Iii secured to the shell through the medium of welds il and a top leg I2 desirably substantially parallel with the horizontal leg l of the eave member. The legs l and l2, together with the interposed part of the inner shell, or Vertical wall ll, form an outwardly facing, channel-shaped, housing i3 for the purpose to be hereinafter made apparent.

Associated with the eave member is a top ilashing Id which in large size storage tanks is preferably made up of relatively short sections having adjacent edges overlapping a slight distance but, however, in any event forming a continuous member about the upper extremity of the tank and it will be hereinafter considered as a single member as well as referred to as the top dashing.

3 The top dashing has a ring like leg i lying in intimate contact with the eave member vertical leg, being thus held in such relationship by a surrounding retaining top band I6. An upper extremity of the ringlike leg of the flashing merges into a knee brace Il which is directed across the inner corner of the eave in spaced relation thereto. Continuing outwardly from the knee brace the top flashing follows the same general direction as the horizontal leg 1 for a part of the width thereof where at a predesignated point it drops slightly at an incline as a shed i8 to terminate in a rolled or reinforced edge le. Caulking compound of any approved moisture repellant composition is applied, as at 2i), between the horizontal leg l and inclined shed to thereby prevent the ingress of moisture to the area defined by the channel I3.

Referring now particularly to the lower eX- tremity of the storage tank it will be observed that here again there has been provided a flashing strip which may be formed in section similarly to the top flashing and will be hereinafter distinguishable as the bottom flashing 2i. Like its top counterpart, the bottom flashing has a ringlike leg 22 which, in this instance, is in surface bearing relation with an adjacent part of the shell plate and retained in this predetermined lposition by means of a bottom band 23. The ringlike leg merges into an inclined knee brace 2li which continues in a horizontal plane or skirt 25 to project beyond the vertical limits of the shelf top leg where it terminates in a rolled or reinforced downwardly and outwardly inclined drip rail 26.

Disposed within the channel I3 is a predetermined thickness of insulating material 2 which forms an outer surrounding insulating jacket for the tank shell in the area included between the shelves and eave member. While any approved type of insulating material may be employed it is at the present writing preferred to employ fiber glass or glass wool because of its adequate insulating qualities as well as its resilient characteristics; it being expandable, compressible and non-expendable. By way of explanation of the iast statement it will be recalled that heretofore it was set out that the tank shell is subjected to a relatively wide range of temperatures. This successive heating and cooling will naturally cause the tank shell to expand and contract, thereby simulating a breathing action. As the tank shell expands the insulating material, for reasons which will be hereinafter made apparent, will be compressed. After the application of heat has been cut olf the tank shell will contract and due to the resilient characteristics of the preferred insulating material the latter will expand to thereby follow the tank shell back to its normal position. The insulating material is laid in mats such as indicated at 28 to completely ll the space between the top and bottom flashings.

Surrounding the insulating mats are a series of vertically spaced metallic intermediate bands 29 which may be of any desired quantity and extend around the outside of the insulating jacket. Disposed in spaced relation relative to one another and about the jacket are a series of vertical reinforcing rods 39 each of which extends from adjacent the lower flashing vertically to a position or location slightly removed below the shed i8 of the top flashing. These reinforcing rods are mounted temporarily in place by any means such as the illustrated wire clips 3| which secure the rods to the intermediate bands. Since the bottom edge of an outer coating 32 may be' subjected to additional stress it is at the present writing deemed desirable to employ the use of a horizontal or lower reinforcing rod 33 which extends substantially continuously about the tank and is held temporarily in place by means of holding wires 34 interlocking the Vertical and horizontal rods together. It is further preferred for purposes which are apparent to position the horizontal reinforcing rod a slight distance above the bottom flashing as clearly illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawing. Secured to the vertical reinforcing rods is a sheet or blanket of additional reinforcing material and it is preferred at the present writing that this sheet comprise a section or sections of wire mesh 35. This wire mesh is attached to the vertical rods through the medium of tie wires 38 and may be of any desired guage, depending entirely upon the size of the outer jacket.

Forming an outer casing of the storage tank is the previously referred to outer coating 32. This outer casing is preferably formed of a desired thickness by pneumatically placed concrete to thereby render the casing extremely dense and waterproof. The last applied part of the outer casing may be made up of a mixture of white sand and white cement to thereby add a white color to the casing. This white color will of course reflect the sun rays and thereby to this extent assist in insulating the inner shell. The outer casing extends vertically between the top and bottom ilashings and extends around they insulating mats as a monolithic structure to be supported in an elevated position above the foundation by the angle shelves or ledges.

After the outer casing is completed the free end of the top flashing, indicated by diagram matic lines 3l, is bent downwardly to form the coping 38 and thus the juncture between the top flashing and casing is sealed off against the natural elements.

It might be well, before leaving the detailed description of the hereinabove specie, to refer back to the part hereinabove dealing with the formation of the knee braces in the top and bottom flashings. As previously stated the inner shell may increase and diminish horizontally in size. During such instances the knee braces are so formed that they will function as, what might be termed, expansion joints and further any expanding or contracting movement of the inner shell will res-ult in a horizontal sliding action of the shelves relative to the outer casing.

Referring now to Figure 3 wherein a part of a second specie of the invention is illustrated, it might be well at the outset to state that the undisclosed section of the tank of this specie is or may be identical with that corresponding portion of the first described specie. The major difference between the two species resides in a trifle different arrangement at or adjacent to the top of the tank and in this regard the rst specie might be classified as having an overhanging roof sometimes preferred while the second specie is devoid of an overhanging roof.

Accordingly, the tank of the second specie hereinafter described in detail comprises an inner metallic shell i9 formed in a fashion and manner similar to the shell of the previously described tank. Adjacent to the upper edge of the inner shell there is secured thereto an inner and top ring like eave member M with this member forming a support for a rcof plate 42. The shell, roof plate and eave member are secured together by any desired means or method to present a sealed container for a liquid of any nature. Surrounding the shell at a location removed from or below the top edge of the shell is a preferably metallic guaging or spacer band 43. Mounted upon the spaced band is a top clamping band it which is of a width greater than the width of the spacer band so that it overlaps the latter to present an initially clear space between a portion of the clamping band and adjacent part of the shell.

Associated with the top part of the shell along the outer top periphery thereof is a top fiashing i5 being formed of a single piece of metal or. a series of connected or overlapping sections of metal, the latter of which may be of copper, of galvanized iron or any like rust resistant metal. The top flashing is made with a hoop-like or strip-like flange at which occupies the initially clear space, previously described, between the shell and clamping band. By this method or means the spacing and clamping bands are iirst applied and the top flashing can then be applied easily. The flange it has its upper edge merge into an outwardly and upwardly inclined knee brace il which blends into an outwardly directed shed fit disposed in substantial alignment with the roof sheet. The formation of the knee brace presents a wedge-shaped cavity into which is applied calking composed of any ap proved or desired composition to thus effect a seal between the iiashing and inner shell.

Like in the previously described specie, the present structure is also provided with a layer of insulating material to forrn an enea-sing jacket 139 with the material preferably being of glass or glass wool because of its resilient nenexpendable characteristics. The encasing jacket surrounds the inner shell and lying on the outside surface of this jacket is a plurality of inter- :iediate bands 5t* (one only' of which is shown) to which is attached vertical reinforcing rods iii. Here again a sheet of wire mesh is attached to the vertical reinforcing rods and nally a layer of pneumatically placed concrete is applied to form an outer casing or monolithic structure 92. After the monolithic structure has become set the free extremity of the shed 48 is moved from 6 the position indicated by diagrammatic lines as at 53 to a position 5t indicated in full lines so as to adequately seal off the juncture between the top flashing and monolithic structure against the elements.

From the above it will be noted that various changes and alterations may be made to the illustrated and described constructions without departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claim.

I claim: lfn an insulated tank, the combination of, a a duid eneasing shell, supporting means aiding freni said shell above a lower eX- trer ity thereof, a flashing loosely supported by d ng upon s `id supporting means, a coatcf extremely porous glass composition surro rw ng the said shell vertically from said flashi o nds of greater width than thickness spacedv apart vertically and extending around said glass composition in spaced relation to said shell, intermittently spaced reinforcing rods extending vertically secured to said bands outwardly thereof, Wire inesh secured to said rods and extending completely about said shell outwardly of said glass composition, and a monolithic structure r'orined pneunia'tically placed concrete s rrounding and embedded in said glass com tic-n; said monolithic structure having said rods and mesh forming an integral part thereof.

OSCAR A. MECHLN.

REFERENCES CI'ITED he following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

